About 48% reported that their former partners sent or shared online messages about them that were extremely nasty.

For 34%, their former partners contacted their new partner or family and friends online for the purpose of distressing them.

While 28% reported that their former partners threatened to post or send an online message about them that was not true, 26% said that their former partners threatened to share online something that they did not want to be shared on the public forum.

About 37% of respondents of the study who had experienced a break-up within the last five years reported being a victim of online abuse from their former partner.
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Twenty-six per cent reported that their former partners used digital technology to track or stalk them.

“There is very little research into digital abuse among adults after relationship break-ups. Our survey provides strong support for the necessity of further investigation into this issue,” said Lindy Morrison from Regent’s University London.

For the study, the team interviewed 1,612 adults via an online survey about relationship break-ups and online behaviour by their former partner.